The Mets sent Chris Schwinden back to Triple-A and selected Vinny Rottino’s contract from Buffalo today, moving Mike Pelfrey to the 60-day DL to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. And Terry Collins said that Miguel Batista will start in Schwinden’s spot on Tuesday.

Rottino you probably remember from Spring Training. He gives the Mets some flexibility defensively, since he can fill in at all four corners and behind the plate. Plus he hits right-handed, which has somehow become a plus for the suddenly lefty-heavy Mets.

Rottino’s solid career offensive numbers in the Minors are somewhat inflated by several seasons in the Pacific Coast League, though his home parks there have been more or less neutral ones. Since he seems likely to be used primarily as a bench bat, he wouldn’t be my choice for the call. But since Batista’s move to the rotation leaves the Mets short in the bullpen, there are certainly more moves to come.

If I had to guess, Batista will return to the bullpen after the spot start and the Mets will call on someone else for that spot in the rotation when it next comes up. Jeremy Hefner’s scheduled to pitch for the Bisons tonight, so he’d be scheduled to pitch again on regular rest Wednesday, then Monday the 14th. Since the Mets have an off-day on Thursday the 10th, Monday the 14th appears to be the next time they’ll need a starter in that fifth spot.